Drive mechanism



June 29, 1954 Filed Oct. 2l. 1948 J. s. RucKELsHAus 2,682,175

vDRIVE MECHANISM www TTUH/VEYS June 29, 1954 J. G. RucKELsHAus DRIVE MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 001;. 21. 1948 Patented June 29, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT y OFFICE 2,682,175 DRIVE MECHANISM 1J ohn Greer Ruckelshaus, Madison, N. J. Application October '21, 1948, Serial No. 55,779

(Cl. 'i4- 157) 7 Claims.

This invention relates toa drive mechanism and, more particularly, to an electrically operated niagnetized vibrator` device for 'rotating shafts and theiike commonly used in radio, radar', television and the like. y Y

It is a gieiierair object of the present invention to provide aneasily' operable, economically constructed device for rotating shafts or stairs through any desired degree of rotation, in either a clockwise or -cunterclockwise direction; or both.

Another' object of the present invention is to provide an electrically operated vibrator rotor device for connection-with and adapted to rotate antenna shafts requiring little or no maintenance.

Still another object 'of the present invention is to provide relatively simple [means for rotating antennas which can be actuated from a point remote from the antenna er shaft by the elimination of high speed reversible motors with gear trains. y

Still another object of the present invention is' to provide a weather resistant and fool-proof mechanism including a vibratory type of motor which does not stall or freeze and in which the current drawn to operate said mechanism is independent of whether or not the shaft to which said lmechanism conneted rotates.

other objects, desirable features and advantages will become apparent frein the following description taken in oo" ectin with the accompanying drawings,` which Fig. 1 is a plan view f a preferred Aei'l'ibodi'ment of my inventioni taken on line l-l of Fig. 21.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line Y2--2 of Fie. 1.

3 is a sectional view takenon line 3-3 of 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of details taken on line4-4 of Fig. 3.-

Fig. 5 is a schematic view ofthe electrical circuit of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a modified form of the embodimentfshow'n in Fig. 1, adapted to rotate in one direction` Referring now to the drawings, in which similar reference characters refer to like parts throughout, there-is provided a base member |0 which contains anopening foraccommodating a bushing I 2. It will b'e noted that said bush-- ing is so constructed that one end I3 is reduced tothe extent that it rpasses through the opening I, while the `middle portion |4 is of greater diam-'- eter as to form a shoulder adapted to rest against theice of said base memberllli asshown in Figs.

2 and 3, and the opposite end l5 is of a reduced diameter.

Said bushing l2 is further adapted to carry a shaft i6 which, at one end, accommodates a worm gear I1 for engaging a gear member |8 fixed t0 a rotatable shaft |9. it is to be noted that the rear of said base member, as shown in Fig. 2, is Ipro-- vided with a housing or supporting unit 20, fixed to the rear of the base member on which rests said shaft member I9. There is also provided another supporting member 2| above the 'armature gear member to retain the shaft member I9 in rigid position. Below said supporting member 2| is a connecting member 22 adapted to be xed to a base or supporting shaft (not shown). A cup shaped member or drum 23 is fixed to the opposite end of shaft I6 by means of a pin 24.

Fixed to said bushing l2 and between said 'cup member 23 and base member, there is provided a clutch cam 25 consisting of two spaced plate members 26 and 21 sw'aged to the bushing and held together in spaced relationship by means of connecting screw members 28, 29 and 3G. It will be noted that the plates of the ycam are so constructed as to provide a plurality of substantially apical portions, partial inclined planes or cam formations 3|, 32 and 33 respectively. Furthermore, said spaced carri plates are also provided with a plurality of superimposed slots 34, and 36 respectively, yp'nr'eferably disposed beneath the apical portion of said plates.

Said inner cam plate 21 is provided with an arm 31 fixed thereon by means of screws and washers 38 and 39 respectively, which fit into the screw bushing members 28, 29 and 30 respectively. Said arm 31 is provided with an extending portion 40 to the end of which is adjustably connected a reciprocable arm 4| extending into armature coil 42 fixed to base member ||l in any suitable manner, such as by screw members 43. It will be noted that said arm is movable at right angles to said extending portion 40. Said armature coil 42 is also provided at the end opposite reciprocable arm 4|, with adjusting means 44 which may be extended in or out of armature coil 42 so -as to adjust the speed and power of operation of said 31. Said adjusting member is fixed to base member l0 in any suitable manner, such as by a post 45 adapted to hold said adjusting means 44.

The other end of said arm 31 has another por" tion 46 provided with a slot 41 of sucient width to accommodate one `or more spring plates 48 as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Disposed ad-y jacent extending portion 46 there is a Ipost 49 3 fixed to member I for holding the other end of said spring plate 48. The resistance to oscillation of the said arm 31 can also be regulated by the number of spring plates that can be attached to post 49.

In order to effect oscillation of the cam in a clockwise or counterclockwise manner, there is provided an actuator 50 provided with a plurality of spaced fingers 5|, 52 and 53. Said actuator 50 is provided with a central opening 54 and is swaged or connected to the bushing I2 in any suitable manner. It is also provided as shown in Figs. l and 2 with an arm extending downwardly of said clutch cam and is bent at right angles toward the base member I0 and then again bent at right angles so as to be parallel with the plane of the base member. Said bent arm of the actuator is pivotally connected by means of a linkage member 55 to core members 56 and 51 respectively of solenoids 58 and 59 respectively, which are fixed in any suitable manner to the base member I0 by means of screws 60. Said solenoids 58 and 59 are provided with adjusting means 6l and 62 respectively, disposed at the ends of the coil oppositey to the solenoid cores to regulate the strength of the magnetic eld in the coil. The solenoid and armature coils are electrically connected in series as shown in Fig. 5 to a panel section 63 fixed to base member I0 and provided with binding posts 64, 65 and 66 which afford connections for the wiring in the solenoids and the armature with an outside source of electrical energy. Said circuit can be connected in any suitable manner for purposes of remote control, by using a single pole double throw switch, so that when the switch is thrown to one position, one solenoid coil is connected in series with the armature coil, causing rotation of the shaft in one direction, and when thrown in the other position, the other solenoid is connected in series with the armature coil causing rotation of the shaft in the opposite direction.

Intermediate the cam plate members 26 and 21 of clutch cam 25 and as shown in Fig. 4, there are provided a plurality of pin members 61 which are disposed equi-distantly and circumferentially of each other around bushing I2. Each of said pins is adapted to retain a spring plate member 68 extending outwardly of the periphery of the cam plates 26 and 21 and bent so as to accommodate a roller 69 which is adapted to hug the inclined planes of the cam plates and also to make contact with the inner wall of said drum or cup member 23. It will be noted that each of said roller members is provided with a reduced shaft portion 10 which accommodates the terminal portions 1I of spring plates 6B and with opposed circular contacting portions 12 for making contact with the inclined cam formations 3 I. It will be further noted that the spring plate members 68 are mounted in pairs so that the rollers 69 are disposed adjacent the apical portions 3 I 32 and 33 respectively of the cam 25 and that said spring plate members 68 extend across the slots 34, and 36 respectively, in which fit fingers 5I, 52 and 53 respectively of actuator 5I). Each pair of said spring plate members 68 is provided with a tension coil spring 13 so as to retain said rollers in a position adjacent the apical portions of the cam plates and keep the spring plates 66 in each pair tensed towards each other and in direct contact with the periphery of drum or cylinder wall and of the inclined planes of the apical portions, thus locking the cam 25 with the cylinder.

In the modification shown in Fig. 6, there is provided a modified form in which there are only three rollers instead of three pairs of rollers and in which the solenoids are eliminated, so that there is effected a rotation of the antenna shaft in only one direction.

In the operation of the device according to the present invention, when solenoid 59 is energized core 51 is drawn inwardly of the coil and actuator 50 turnsclockwise so as'to move one `of each pair of rollers 69 away from one set of contacting inclined planes or apical portions of the cam, the oscillating movement caused by armature 42 sets up vibrations in the cam which are transmitted to the rollers making contact between the inclined plane of the cam and the wall of drum 23, whereupon shaft I9 is moved in counterclockwise direction through any number of degrees. In this connection a stop may be provided on the shaft I9 to prevent said shaft from being rotated before one `complete revolution.` When solenoid58 is energized, the other set of rollers is freed and rotation is effected in,.the other direction. It will be noted that armature coil 42 operating on A. C. current sets up a vibration in arm 31 which is tuned by spring plate members 48. As armature 4I moves back and forth in coil 42, it vibrates spring plate holding rollers 69. As `one of each set of these rollers vibrates they wedge against the cup causing rotation of the cup which, in turn, actuates shaft I6. `As to the free rollers, they make no driving contact` with the cam or drum because the spring plates are `not flexed towards the apical or cam portions 3I, 32 and 33, respectively. As member 44 is adjusted in or out of the armature coil 42, it adjusts the speed and power of vibration of `arm member 31, so that the shorter the air gap between the armature 4I and adjusting member 44, the greater the speed and power; whereas the greater the air gap between saidmembers, the less speed and power are imparted to arm 31.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it willy be noted that I have provideda highly effective mechanism which, when not in use, forms a positive clutch without maintaining a constant contact of the movable parts. Furthermore, by my invention, there is imparted a fast intermittent motion, thereby eliminating any need of a flywheel or a motor as is common to presently used vibrator clutching devices. Also, there is imparted a steady rotation of movable parts due to better' clutching action brought about by the three point gear which effectively spreads the load so that the shaft does not bind at any time. By my construction, it Will be also noted Vthat any wear of the parts inthe course of time does not affect the moving action and that the speed of operation can be readily and easily adjusted without requiring any highly complicated changes in the parts of the device. 1

A device made according to my inventionv is easy to manufacture and highly economical in use and can be readily controlled at remote points and operating shafts in unior omni-directional rotation.

Another important feature of the present invention is that when the cam is in neutral and locked position, there is no strain produced on the worm gear and that further windage would not affect the shaft to the extent that it would rotate since the neutral position of the vibrator acts as a clutch stop.

While preferred forms of the invention have been described herein, it is to be understood that changes in the use, form, structure or arrangement of parts may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. clutching apparatus for rotating a, shaft comprising actuatable shaft means, a cam member pivotally mounted on said actuatable means, tensioned vibratory means fixed to the cam member, said cam member being adapted upon actuation to oscillate, tensioned roller means freely extending from the cam member and forming a sliding contact therewith, cup shaped cylindrical means in connection with the actuatable means adapted to receive the impulses set up by the vibration of the cam member to the tensioned roller means and thereby form a locking action with the cam and roller means to produce rotation of the actuatable means, and drive means in contact With the tensioned vibratory means whereby the impulses to the cylindrical means may be imparted in a clockwise or counterclock- Wise manner, said cam member when in nonoperative position forming a lock for said shaft means adapted to prevent rotation of the shaft.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the tensioned roller means consist of a plurality of sets of pairs and one of each set acts in unison with respect to the cam and makes contact with the inner Wall of the cylindrical means so as to impart rotational energy to the shaft in a clockwise direction, while the other roller means of the set idles and is adapted upon being actuated to deliver impulses to the inner Wall of the cylindrical means and cause rotation of the shaft in a counter-clockwise direction.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which there are provided energizable and electrically operable means connected in series for operating the actuatable means.

4. Clutching apparatus for selectively rotating a shaft, comprising a drive member in operative'connection with the shaft, oscillatory cam means rotatably mounted on the drive member and operable thereby, tensioned roller means extending from the cam means adapted to make contact with the cam means and receive the oscillating impulses of the cam means, means in operative connection with the shaft adapted to receive the impulses from the tensioned roller means and rotate the shaft, and means for oscillating the cam means, in which said tensioned roller means occurs in pairs and the cam drive means is provided With a plurality of apical edges on each side of which rests a roller in each pair, each pair of said tensioned means comprising a roller riding the respective apical edge of the drive means, and a spring member connected thereto and to the drive means, each pair of roller springs having a tensioned spring coil adapted to bring the rollers of each pair together toward the respective apical portion of the drive means.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4: in which the cam means is provided With an actuating member and in which there is provided energizable means in connection with the actuating member, and an electrical circuit in series with the energizable means adapted to selectively actuate the drive means.

6. 1n a clutch device of the character described for rotating a shaft, a clutch for permitting selective rotation of said shaft, comprising actuatable tensioned vibrating means, two Way oscillatory means in connection with said means, and actuatable by the vibrating means, actuatable drive means mounted on the shaft, tensioned oscillatory means intermediate the two way oscillatory means and the drive means adapted to receive short continuous driving impulses from the oscillatory means and frictionally impart said impulses to the actuatable drive means to rotate the shaft, and means in connection with the vibratory means to shift said oscillatory rotary means to impart motion to said shaft.

7. In a clutch device for imparting rotary motion to a shaft, a rotatable element fixed to the shaft, an armature, an oscillating element coaxial with the shaft actuated by said armature including cam means to intermittently engage said rotatable element and rotate the same by a series of short, rapid, continuous impulses imparted to the element, spring means engaging the oscillating element, and shifting means for causing the oscillating element to impart selective, continuous, unidirectional impulses to the rotatable element.

References Cited in the file 0f this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 265,858 Ott Oct. 10, 1882 275,388 Huyck Apr. 10, 1883 371,583 Hobby Oct. 18, 1887 582,819 Gray May 18, 1897 852,690 Wright May 7, 1907 1,126,084 Reisbach Jan. 26, 1915 1,161,943 Machek Nov. 30, 1915 1,692,409 Hobbs May 21, 1927 1,875,858 Doring Sept. 6, 1932 2,001,663 Maier May 14, 1935 2,090,934 Borenstein et al. Aug. 24, 1937 2,377,583 Smith June 5, 1945 2,394,085 Loughbriclge Feb. 5, 1946 2,402,829 Moo June 25, 1946 2,537,722 Walton Jan. 9, 1951 2,558,953 Henninger et al. July 3, 1951 

